If you love bold Caribbean flavors, this Jamaican Jerk Pizza is about to become your new pizza night obsession. Smoky jerk chicken, crispy bacon, sweet pineapple and creamy mozzarella all come together on a crispy homemade crust with a spicy homemade jerk sauce. If you enjoy bold island-inspired flavors, you should also try this Chicken and Chorizo Paella for another flavor-packed dinner idea.
The sweet, smoky and spicy combination makes this pizza completely irresistible. Every bite has just the right balance of heat from the jerk seasoning, sweetness from the pineapple, salty bacon and fresh lime.
What is Jamaican Jerk Pizza?
Jamaican Jerk Pizza is a Caribbean-inspired pizza topped with jerk-marinated chicken, spicy jerk cream sauce, bacon, pineapple, cheese and fresh toppings baked on homemade pizza dough. It combines smoky, spicy, sweet and savory flavors into one bold homemade pizza recipe.
Jump to:
- What is Jamaican Jerk Pizza?
- Why this recipe works
- Why This Jamaican Jerk Pizza is Better Than Store-Bought
- What is My Take on Caribbean Pizza?
- Ingredients
- Key Ingredients
- Step by step instructions to make Jamaican jerk chicken pizza
- How to make homemade pizza crust
- How to Get the Best Jamaican Jerk Pizza
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Variations
- What to Serve With Jamaican Jerk Pizza
- Expert tips for perfect pizza
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage + Reheating + Make Ahead + Meal Prep
- Closing Jamaican Jerk Pizza
- Favorite pizza recipes
- Recipe
- 💬 Comments
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Why this recipe works
- Homemade jerk sauce adds incredible flavor
- Sweet pineapple balances the spicy heat Crispy bacon adds smoky saltiness Fresh lime brightens the entire pizza
- Homemade dough creates the perfect chewy crust
- Easy to customize for spice level
Why This Jamaican Jerk Pizza is Better Than Store-Bought
Store-bought pizzas rarely deliver the bold flavor you get from freshly marinated jerk chicken and homemade jerk pizza sauce. Making it yourself lets you control:
- The spice level
- Freshness of ingredients
- Thickness of crust
- Quality of toppings
- Amount of cheese and sauce
The homemade jerk cream sauce alone makes this pizza taste restaurant-quality.
What is My Take on Caribbean Pizza?
I love Caribbean-inspired recipes because they combine sweet, smoky and spicy flavors in ways that feel exciting and comforting at the same time. This Jamaican Jerk Pizza takes traditional pizza night and gives it a bold tropical twist with authentic jerk seasoning, pineapple and fresh lime.
If you enjoy experimenting with bold flavors, this Thai Chicken Flatbread Pizza is another fun fusion-style pizza recipe worth trying.
Ingredients
Pizza
- 2 chicken thighs
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- ½ red bell pepper thinly sliced
- ½ cup diced pineapple
- 4 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro for garnish
- 1 pizza dough see below
- 1 cup Jamaican jerk pizza sauce see below
Chicken Marinade
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Pizza Dough
- 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 envelope yeast
- 1-½ teaspoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup very warm water 120° to 130°F*
- 3 tablespoons Canola oil
Jamaican Jerk Pizza Sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 scotch bonnet or habanero pepper minced
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
👉 Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable version of ingredients and instructions.
Key Ingredients
- Jamaican Jerk Seasoning - This is where the bold Caribbean flavor comes from. It adds smoky spice, warmth and depth to the pizza.
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper - Adds authentic Jamaican-style heat and fruity spice.
- Pineapple - Balances the spice with sweetness and helps create that classic sweet-and-spicy flavor combination.
- Mozzarella Cheese - Creates the perfect creamy melt to balance the spicy toppings.
Step by step instructions to make Jamaican jerk chicken pizza
- Combine all the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Remove from the fridge and grill or broil the chicken for about 4 ½ minutes per side, or until the temperature reads 165°F. Let it cool and dice it in ½" chunks.
- While the chicken is cooling, combine all the sweet and spicy pizza sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
- Spread the spicy jerk sauce over the dough (see instructions for dough below).
- Add the mozzarella cheese, seasoned chicken, crumbled bacon, pineapple, onion, and red pepper. Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired.
- Place on the bottom rack in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until crust is golden brown and crispy. Drizzle with fresh lime juice, garnish with cilantro, slice and serve. You can also bake on a pizza stone.
A light drizzle with olive oil before serving can add some extra flavor as well!
How to make homemade pizza crust
- Combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add water heated to 120-130ËšF and oil. Always use a thermometer to check temperature; mix until well blended, about 1 minute.
- Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Dough should form a ball and will be slightly sticky. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, adding additional flour if necessary, until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll dough on a floured counter to 12-inch circle.
- Place in greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Form a rim by pinching the edge of the dough.
How to Get the Best Jamaican Jerk Pizza
- Marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor
- Bake pizza on the bottom rack for a crisp crust
- Preheat the oven fully before baking
- Don’t overload the pizza with sauce
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting
- Finish with fresh lime juice after baking
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the chicken marinade time
- Using cold dough straight from the fridge
- Adding too much sauce
- Overbaking the pizza
- Using pre-shredded cheese which doesn’t melt as smoothly
Variations
- Yogurt and/or coconut cream can be substituted for cream in the pizza sauce if desired.
- Omit the spicy pepper for a mild sauce, or add an additional pepper for a spicier sauce.
- Substitute chicken breast for he chicken thighs. You can also use pork and even seafood for this!
- You can also use a jerk marinade or sauce for the chicken marinade and/or the pizza sauce to make this ultra easy.
- Consider adding fire roasted tomatoes or roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted jalapenos, roasted red peppers or any other vegetable you like to have on pizza. It's also great topped with sliced scallions.
- Fresh herbs like oregano, thyme and/or tarragon go great with this. You can also add additional spice like smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, or garlic powder.
What to Serve With Jamaican Jerk Pizza
Pair this spicy Caribbean pizza with flavorful sides and appetizers for a complete meal:
- This creamy Coconut Rice balances the heat beautifully.
- These crispy Southwest Egg Rolls make a great appetizer for game day or pizza night.
- For another tropical-inspired side, try this refreshing Thai Shrimp Salad
Expert tips for perfect pizza
- Make sure the yeast is not expired before use - expired yeast will not work properly and your dough will not rise.
- When mixing the yeast with water, be sure the water is warm, NOT HOT. Hot water will kill the yeast.
- Bake the pizza dough on the bottom rack so the crust fully bakes.
- If you use vegetables that take longer to cook, consider cooking them in advance so you can be sure they cook fully.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature, roll it out, top it and bake it according to the recipe instructions.
Leftover cooked pizza can also be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven until warmed through.
Freeze leftover pizza in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat it, place it in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until it is warmed through.
Yes, it has moderate heat from the jerk seasoning and scotch bonnet pepper, but the pineapple and cheese help balance the spice.
Absolutely. Store-bought dough works great for saving time.
Mozzarella melts beautifully and balances the bold jerk flavors well.
Yes, grilled pizza works wonderfully with these smoky Caribbean flavors.
Jerk seasoning is a spice blend that is typically used in Jamaica to dry rub meat. It is made from chilies, thyme, garlic, and allspice, among other seasonings.
Storage + Reheating + Make Ahead + Meal Prep
- Storage - Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating - Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in an air fryer until crispy.
- Make Ahead - The chicken marinade and dough can both be prepared ahead of time.
- Meal Prep - Prep toppings and sauce in advance for easy weeknight pizza assembly.
Closing Jamaican Jerk Pizza
This Jamaican Jerk Pizza is the perfect combination of spicy, smoky, sweet and cheesy flavors. Between the homemade jerk sauce, marinated chicken and crispy crust, it’s a fun way to completely transform pizza night into something bold and unforgettable. Whether you’re making it for game day, family dinner or weekend entertaining, this Caribbean-inspired pizza delivers huge flavor in every bite.
Favorite pizza recipes
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Recipe
Jamaican Jerk Pizza
Ingredients
- 2 chicken thighs
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- ½ red bell pepper thinly sliced
- ½ cup diced pineapple
- 4 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro for garnish
- 1 pizza dough see below
- 1 cup Jamaican jerk pizza sauce see below
Chicken Marinade
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Pizza Dough
- 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 envelope yeast
- 1-½ teaspoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup very warm water 120° to 130°F*
- 3 tablespoons Canola oil
Jamaican Jerk Pizza Sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 scotch bonnet or habanero pepper minced
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine all the marinade ingredients and add the chicken. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Remove from the fridge and grill or broil the chicken for about 4 ½ minutes per side, or until the temperature reads 165 degrees. Let it cool and dice it in ½" chunks.
- Spread the pizza sauce over the dough and add the mozzarella cheese, chicken, crumbled bacon, pineapple, onion, and red pepper. Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired.
- Place on the bottom rack in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Drizzle with fresh lime juice, garnish with cilantro, slice and serve.
Pizza Dough
- Combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add water heated to 120-130ËšF and oil. Always use a thermometer to check temperature; mix until well blended, about 1 minute.
- Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Dough should form a ball and will be slightly sticky.
- Knead on a floured surface, adding additional flour if necessary, until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll dough on a floured counter to 12-inch circle; place in greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Form a rim by pinching the edge of the dough.
Jamaican Jerk Pizza Sauce
- Combine all the ingredients in a mini food processor and blend until smooth.
Expert Tips:
- Make sure the yeast is not expired before use - expired yeast will not work properly and your dough will not rise.
- When mixing the yeast with water, be sure the water is warm, NOT HOT. Hot water will kill the yeast.
- Bake the pizza dough on the bottom rack so the crust fully bakes.
- If you use vegetables that take longer to cook, consider cooking them in advance so you can be sure they cook fully.
Nutrition
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